Local creative businesses are both positive and apprehensive about using AI in their business processes after attending the Carlow Local Enterprise Office event held at Google’s headquarters in Dublin.
“It was great to see what was possible,” said Leslie Kelly of Fifth Wall Interiors. “Google is always improving and things are moving so fast. It was good to see what’s coming.” But “some of it just stuck with me,” Kelly said with a laugh.
The event on November 13th was designed to demonstrate how digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) can support the growth of creative companies. Google’s Kira Brakhage gave a presentation on applying AI to improve productivity, content development, and discover new market opportunities. Google’s John Stafford showed how ViGenAir repurposes existing content into promotional video assets for various advertising platforms.
Two workshops followed: Meaning of AI and Practical AI for Marketing.
The closing session featured a panel discussion with business leaders who shared how digital thinking and AI are impacting product development and daily operations.
Naomh McElhatton, Ireland’s Ambassador for Women in AI and founder of the Business of AI club, oversaw a panel representing local corporate offices, including Magdelena Seymour of Pure Oscar, Kim White of Popia, Kay Ling of K Cajoo Jewels, Niab Reilly of Market Square Studio and Kieran Comerford.
“It was a really well-run event,” said Paul Byrne, who owns and operates PB Studios in Carlow.
“We’re lucky to be able to host an event like this. Many other European countries don’t have Google on their doorstep.”
But he also understood that upskilling in this way can sometimes be daunting for small businesses. “We do a lot of things as company owners anyway. The big question is where to start.”
For Byrne and his colleagues, the advent of AI isn’t that big of a deal. “As a studio, we drive innovation. We see AI as a tool for innovation, not a threat.” After the event, they hope to use Google’s NotebookLM more intensively to gain more insight into customer buying habits and aid in the sales process. “We embrace it. We’re never afraid of it.”
Leslie Kelly found it hard to imagine what kind of threat AI would pose to her business, but she thought AI could help with social media and scheduling. She expressed concerns about privacy and intellectual property ownership. “The biggest problem was copyright. We couldn’t answer the question of who owned it,” she pointed out.
Similarly, Pat Bramley, owner of Bramley Jewelers, said, “We didn’t know how secure the AI was or how much it would actually cost to implement.”
Jewelry maker Philips is using AI in its laser printing machines and hopes to expand that in the new year, he said.
Brumley said AI is “definitely something that’s coming.” “That’s the only way right now.”
